1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my strong opposition to H.R. 867, the "International Governmental Organizations Anti-Boycott Act." This bill, which was recently pulled from the House schedule due to significant grassroots opposition, poses a serious threat to our First Amendment rights and must not be allowed to come to a floor vote. H.R. 867 seeks to expand the Anti-Boycott Act of 2018 by criminalizing compliance with or support for boycotts called for by international governmental organizations like the United Nations. If passed, this legislation could result in severe penalties for individuals, businesses, and advocacy organizations that align with internationally backed calls to boycott Israel or companies complicit in human rights abuses. These penalties are alarmingly harsh, including civil penalties, criminal fines up to $1 million, and imprisonment for up to 20 years. The right to boycott is a fundamental part of our democracy, protected by the First Amendment. Throughout our history, boycotts have played a crucial role in advancing social justice, from resisting British colonial rule to supporting civil rights and opposing apartheid in South Africa. H.R. 867 would infringe on this essential right, chilling constitutionally protected political speech and advocacy. It's worth noting that over 3,000 messages have already been sent to the U.S. House of Representatives through CAIR's action alert, demonstrating the widespread concern about this bill. This level of engagement underscores the importance of this issue to your constituents and the American public at large. I urge you to stand firm against H.R. 867 and any similar legislation that threatens our right to boycott. By doing so, you will be protecting free speech, upholding our constitutional values, and ensuring that Americans can continue to exercise their moral, ethical, and political convictions without fear of government punishment. Please vote against this bill if it comes to the floor and actively work to prevent its reintroduction.